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At 23, Imaj is a singer, songwriter, record producer and published author.

You could call Imaj a child prodigy, except that she’s 23 and a multi-faceted adult artist now. The Dallas-based country-pop singer, songwriter and author co-wrote eight songs on her self-titled debut CD, which was released in November. Two of her collaborative compositions, “Passport” and “Into the Blue,” were penned with Kirk Asplin, a local Hospice patient that Imaj befriended. She even co-produced the entire disc with Dave Fowler and recorded it in Nashville.

Imaj is unlike most country-pop albums. It’s an eclectic effort, one that seamlessly folds in elements of bluegrass, rock and native tribal vocalizations. She is part Creek, Cherokee and Blackfoot. Born Imaj Thomas in Miami Beach, she is the daughter of actor Philip Michael Thomas of TV’s Miami Vice fame and Kassandra Thomas, a model. Self-expression was innate for Imaj. It wasn’t a choice; it was more like an afterthought.

In person and on the phone, Imaj is soft-spoken yet focused. She is polished without being fabricated, warm without turning cloying. She speaks eloquently and is never at a loss for words. During our phone conversation, we talked about the Imaj CD, her experience opening shows for big-name country artists, writing her novel Harlow and growing up with show biz parents.

The sound of the CD, from “Train Song” to “Passport” to “Darkness,” encompasses country, pop, bluegrass and even native tribal calls. Are all of those musical styles part of Imaj?

Yes, absolutely. The beautiful thing about music is that I was brought in a household where we listened to absolutely everything. For me music is a universal language; that is the beautiful thing about it. Everyone can relate to it. When we talked about “Train Song,” that is one of the more traditional country songs on my album. That came from growing up with my mom listening to Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt. That was the start of my love for traditional country artists like Hank Sr. and Loretta Lynn. “Passport” comes from my love for the earth and nature. Sounds you can hear when you walk along the beach or in the forest, being one with the earth. “Darkness” tells the story of the beauty of darkness and the beauty of doubt, of being able to question things. In questioning is how you really become creative and how you grow. A lot of times when we think of the dark we think of something negative or something scary. But there is beauty in the night.

You have opened concerts for Collin Raye, Billy Dean, Lorrie Morgan, Gretchen Wilson and Neal McCoy. What have you learned from those high-profile experiences?

I’ve learned a lot as far as their audiences are concerned because their audiences are so varied. I could be singing in front of fans from ages 2 to 85. It is so much fun to interact with such a diverse group of people. It’s great to watch them perform after I open for them. Neal McCoy is really crazy onstage, always telling jokes and climbing on things. Collin Raye is always telling stories on stage. He reminds me of a Disney song. He gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. He always has his arms open, inviting everybody in. I have grown a lot as an artist just by doing that.

Your father is Philip Michael Thomas of Miami Vice fame and your mother is Kassandra Thomas, a model. Do you feel that entertainment and creative expression were in your blood from the very beginning?

Oh definitely. My father actually did Broadway back in 1969. He was in the original Broadway musical for Hair. Both of my parents were very open. They always encouraged us to follow our dreams, and as cliché as it sounds it’s true. Growing up I was never told I couldn’t do something. I always thought I could grow and be whatever I wanted to be whether it was novel writing or music or art. There were no limitations on creative expression. I grew up being encouraged that I could do, be or become anything I wanted to be. My parents were a huge encouragement, and so was growing up in the industry.

Tell me about being a published author with your novel Harlow. Do you consider that just another branch of your artistic personality?

Yes. Harlow is definitely my baby. When I sat down to write Harlow it was almost a channeling experience because I was embedded in my story of her. I became her. People who read the novel are getting somewhat of myself. It is a mixture of who I am and the other side – the ego and the alter ego. I grew up in a creative utopia. With Harlow she grew up in a Dystopian world. She was a product of an interracial relationship and that was frowned upon. She was hidden away, whereas my life was very public. The feeling of people reading what you’ve written is almost like somebody reading your diary.

What is next Imaj? Will there be some touring for you in 2013?

We’re going on a radio tour, and we will continue doing the opening act performances for major country artists. And we are also working on a pretty big show that will be my own and will be in spring or summer 2013. We’re going to have a lot of surprises, including costume changes. It will be a Las Vegas-style show. The last time we put on a concert we had horses, race cars, all sorts of different stuff. I also sing in six different languages when I’m onstage. Every time I do my own show, it is always Las Vegas-style. You never know what to expect.

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